Introducing the YQA's Advisory and Mentoring Committee

Following the Strategic Planning Workshop that the YQA organised late 2017, the team came up with the idea of creating an Advisory and Mentoring Committee consisting of experienced, resourceful and seasoned activists and professionals to guide young people through their endeavours and in their projects.

Below is a short biography on each of the amazing people forming part of the Committee. Meet Najeeb, Anushka, Valerie and Chris:

Fokeerbux Najeeb Ahmad

Najeeb is the Founder of Young Queer Alliance (YQA) and has over 5 years experience working with LGBT youth. Najeeb previously held positions of responsibility in various organisations such as the Rivière-du-Rempart Youth Centre Advisory Committee, the Youth Action Movement, the Organisation Miss-Roi D'Été, Association VISA-G, Collectif Arc-en-Ciel, We Help You and Jeunesse Militante. Najeeb is currently the Chairperson of the African Queer Youth Initiative; an organisation regrouping young LGBTQI leaders across Africa and is also a member of the Youth Reference Group (YRG) of the Men who have Sex with Men Global Forum (MSMGF).

Virahsawmy Anushka

Anushka works for Gender Links and drives the overall vision, strategy formulation, programing and processing streamlining to create an innovative and leading-edge NGO. Her work also consists of finding ways in bringing together a coalition of gender NGOs, Local Government Authorities and media houses as well as campaigning for the elevation of the SADC Declaration on Gender and Development into a Protocol. She leads through example and is a great believe in giving people space and proper guidance and mentoring to develop. Anushka key drives are about reflective aciton learning; alignment of strategic business goals and objectives; engagement and committment to Gender Links Mauritius; gained through mentoring and counselling.

Uppiah Valerie

Valerie is a lecturer in law at the Faculty of Law and Management at the University of Mauritius. She is currently undertaking her doctoral studies at the Center of Human Rights, University of Pretoria, South Africa and has a keen interest for Human Rights issues, with a particular focus on the issues faced by the LGBTI+ community.

Bhaganooa Sandy Christ

Chris is a lawyer at the Bar of Paris and of Mauritius. He is based in Paris and practises both in Mauriitus and in France. Their chambers consists of four lawyers who are all Mauritians issued form French-based universities and/or the University of Mauritius. They are much concerned about the situation of civil and human rights in countries where these are violated and not respected. They engage in a particular practice concerning the rights of LGBTQI persons so that their fundamental civil rights are respected.

Others about us

I find the youngsters of Young Queer Alliance very creative and I welcome this shelter project in Mauritius. Congratulations for this beautiful project that I will surely narrate at Washington.

Saarvesh Doorjean (Peer Outreach, YQA)

I am so proud of us. I have learnt many things and got to know many people working with the Young Queer Alliance. A big thank you and the team at YQA.

Aldo Dell'Ariccia (European Union)

I took the opportunity to comment the initiative of the Young Queer Alliance for launching a national campaign theme "Equality for All", and thank the members of the association for their determination and dynamism.